CLARKSVILLE -- For the second time this year, Troop J officers of the Arkansas State Police, headquartered in Clarksville, have seized more than 500 pounds of marijuana.

Troopers Kyle Drown, George Summerlin and Daniel Nichols, along with Rudy the drug dog, confiscated 539 pounds of marijuana on two separate traffic stops last week. Summerlin stopped a Florida man driving a 2003 truck on Interstate 40 on March 12, and the driver told the trooper he did not have any bombs, cocaine, marijuana or weapons in the vehicle.

After the Florida man signed a consent to search form, 364 pounds of marijuana was located in duffel bags in the bed of the truck. Bond was set at $30,000 on the man by Circuit Judge John Patterson on March 14.

A 2003 van driven by an Arizona woman was stopped by Nichols and Drown on Interstate 40 on Sunday, according to authorities. The drug dog indicated the presence of drugs, and 175 pounds of marijuana was discovered in the van. Two women were arrested and incarcerated at the Johnson County Detention Center. They were cited for possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) with intent to deliver. District Judge Len Bradley set bond at $50,000 apiece on Monday.

All evidence was turned over to agents with the Fifth Judicial District Drug Task Force.

Meth lab arrests

CLARKSVILLE -- Two methamphetamine laboratories were discovered and shut down by Johnson County Sheriff's authorities, who made four arrests in connection with the investigations.

A meth lab was discovered at a Jenkins Ferry Road residence as deputies William Riddle and Dale Wood investigated a theft of electrical services report March 10. A Knoxville man and woman, both 31, were arrested and cited for theft of electrical services and manufacture of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Authorities reported the man and woman also had outstanding warrants from northwest Arkansas. Bond was set at $30,000 each on the man and woman by District Judge Len Bradley.

Authorities discovered a second meth lab March 11 at a residence on East Main Street in Clarksville, according to reports. Clarksville Police Sgt. Paul Harmon transported a man and woman to the detention center.

The man, 34, and woman, 33, were charged with manufacturing a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia and felony child endangerment after a home visit was initially conducted by probation officers Wendy Phillips and Ewing Cline along with Sheriff's Lt. A.J. Hollon. Bond was set at $30,000 each on the man and woman by Judge Bradley during a March 11 bond hearing.

Assisting the agencies were agents with the Fifth Judicial District Drug Task Force, who seized all the evidence and cleaned up hazardous materials at the residences.